Sweet potato fries.

Tri-ominos.

Good friends.

Cute puppies.

Good music.

Ultimate frisbee.

Water.

More good friends.

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On Tuesday school starts again at the U of C. I’m back in 4 classes each semester and will finally be getting my degree after having started almost 10 years ago. It’s been an interesting 9 years and here are some things I’ve learned/done in those past 9 years:

1) Lost my mom

2) Lost my grandfather

3) Learned how to play ultimate frisbee

4) Taught myself how to build websites

5) Met a lot of amazing people

6) Lived in 3 provinces and 8 different places

7) Attended 4 universities in 3 provinces

Had 14 jobs

9) Lost some friends – made lots of new friends

10) Completely changed my career focus

11) Discovered my passion in life

12) Got 3 speeding tickets

13) Bought my first car

14) Had my first love

15) And have been a part of many amazing trips, groups, parties, adventures and events

I wouldn’t change it all for anything. As hard as some of it has been, it’s made me who I am today. Very cliche to say but it’s true. The worst thing ever and the best thing ever happened to me – losing my mom and finding my passion. Knowing that she would be happy with what I’m doing makes it all worth it, what I’ve gone through to get here. Sometimes it’s nice to look back on a period of your life and reflect. You could almost consider it to be an era of my life ending and a new one starting. But really there’s multiple parts of my life right now so just one part of that is going to be over when I graduate in April. It’s been a good run, I’ve learned a lot and still have a lot left to learn. Here’s to living life!

Popularity: 7% [?]

So for those who know me…and even those who don’t…I love ultimate frisbee. The best part about ultimate being the frisbee. And the fact that when you throw the frisbee it can do some amazing things.

When I throw a disc, I love watching it fly into the sky and watching how it moves and is affected by the wind. It’s never the same and it’s a great feeling when you can put something up into the sky and it floats there for 10 seconds. Just watching it spin and fly. I think sometimes I wish I could be like a frisbee and just take off and float around. It’s truly the coolest toy because it can do so many things simply by throwing it with different edges, angles and velocities.

I love when the snow melts and the air gets warmer because it means I can get out and throw again. And after moving downtown, I was worried I wouldn’t have a field close by where I could throw, but I found one on Saturday just a few blocks away from me and it’s perfect. It’s about 110 yards from goal post to goal post (I have to pace it so I know what I’m throwing) but it’s flat with a pretty steady wind so I’m looking forward to throwing there lots.

For me throwing is more than just practice for playing a game. It’s fun as hell. When the profs were on strike at Dal, I threw everyday for 1.5-2 hours for the entire 4 weeks. It was amazing. Not only is it relaxing for me to get out and throw but it’s great exercise, it’s great for my throws in game since my throws become more accurate, longer, smoother and all around I improve my game.

It’s a simple formula. Practice throwing + practice playing = better player. You won’t improve your throws much by just throwing in practice. You must throw on its own (like a golfer goes to the driving range). It’s not boring, it’s actually a lot of fun. There are a lot of things you can do just by purely throwing to get better and to keep it interesting. There are a lot of things I do. Throw hammers through the uprights. Throw I/O flicks into the soccer nets. See how many throws it takes to get from one end of the field to the other and then try to beat that on the way back. You just have to figure out what works for you and commit to it. The best part is that your throws will get better. Guaranteed. But you just need to get out and throw.

Popularity: 2% [?]

So many of my posts have an ultimate theme to them. That’s no coincidence. I love the sport. I love everything about it. When I train, I train so I can be a better player. It’s nice how they go hand in hand.

I thought I’d put down a few thoughts on ultimate and sports in general though.

It’s something that is often said but I don’t think it can ever really be said enough.

Exercise is good for us. Not just health wise, but mind wise. When I’m exercising I feel that I’m able to better process my thoughts and emotions. I feel that I’m better able to figure things out. And I’m happier after working out than I was before. It’s a great ability that exercise provides for me. I’m sure it’s the case for many people.

And many times, we don’t take the time to exercise enough. We use the excuse “I’m too busy”. But then we end up sitting on the couch doing nothing for a few hours when even a 10 minute jog and some stretching would have d0ne our body a lot of good.

So the next time you’re sitting there thinking that you’d really love to work out and you start to say “Oh but I have too many things to do”, make sure that one of those “many things” involves working out. Just a bit each day. And remember that it takes 21 days for a new routine to become habit.

Commit to it.

And I’ll see you when you’re happier.

Popularity: 2% [?]

So many of my posts have an ultimate theme to them. That’s no coincidence. I love the sport. I love everything about it. When I train, I train so I can be a better player. It’s nice how they go hand in hand.

I thought I’d put down a few thoughts on ultimate and sports in general though.

It’s something that is often said but I don’t think it can ever really be said enough.

Exercise is good for us. Not just health wise, but mind wise. When I’m exercising I feel that I’m able to better process my thoughts and emotions. I feel that I’m better able to figure things out. And I’m happier after working out than I was before. It’s a great ability that exercise provides for me. I’m sure it’s the case for many people.

And many times, we don’t take the time to exercise enough. We use the excuse “I’m too busy”. But then we end up sitting on the couch doing nothing for a few hours when even a 10 minute jog and some stretching would have d0ne our body a lot of good.

So the next time you’re sitting there thinking that you’d really love to work out and you start to say “Oh but I have too many things to do”, make sure that one of those “many things” involves working out. Just a bit each day. And remember that it takes 21 days for a new routine to become habit.

Commit to it.

And I’ll see you when you’re happier.

Popularity: 3% [?]

1. I have many passions but for the past 8 years, it’s been ultimate Frisbee. I frequently dream about playing ultimate. Whenever I see a green field, I think “Wow, that would be a great field to play on.”

2. I miss my mom more than anything in the world. She passed away in 2001 when I was 18 and it still hurts to think about it. She was the most important person in my life and I can honestly say that she was the most honest, most sincere, nicest, most caring person I’ve ever met. And I was lucky enough to have her as my mom. That makes me happy but also hurts that she’s gone.

3. My first love is golf, and I miss playing so much. The last time spent with my mom was on mother’s day when we went golfing. I’ve dreamt of playing pro golf for a long time.

4. I cry during movies. Sometimes. Shhhhh.

5. I’ve never been outside of North America, but I’ve been all over Canada more than most people.

6. I drank for the first time when I was 16 at the prom party for the grade 12’s (I was in grade 11). And the first thing I ever drank was coolers. Which continued to be my bevy of choice; until I got drunk off 3 Mike’s hard when I was 18 and that was the end of coolers.

7. I haven’t weighed less than 200 pounds in almost 6 years, but I can still beat you in a race…

8. I bought my first car ever in Oct of 2007. I miss rollerblading to get around and I think since I’m living downtown now I will do more of that this summer.

9. I miss my family a lot but since it’s so expensive to fly home to the Maritimes, I haven’t gone since Dec 2006. I’m going to go this year and really want to go to our family cottage in PEI.

10. I’m extremely proud to have grown up in the Maritimes and would raise my family there in a heartbeat. I love Calgary and the people here but it’s not the same. If you’ve ever been there, you’ll know what I mean.

11. I’m a very honest person. Sometimes too honest. But that’s how I am and I will live and die by that sword.

12. I have an addiction for Haagen Daas ice cream. The 500ml variety. My favourite kind is chocolate chocolate chip and it made me very sad when they stopped selling it in Canada so whenever I’m in the US for a Frisbee tournament, I try and eat it.

13. One of my favourite things to do is to go to an open field and throw Frisbees. Like, I’ll bring 8 with me. And throw for 2 hours. By myself. It’s almost like my form of meditation. Ask me to go throw sometime and you better believe I’m there.

14. I think Frisbee golf is one of the best sports ever. Especially when me and the boys play the Majestic. Ask me about the Majestic and maybe I’ll tell you. If you’re lucky enough.

15. Rhubarb is to me what shrimp is to Bubba Gump.

16. I have built 3 of my own computers. I learned by watching other people and reading about it online. It’s fun being able to do that. But ask me about cars, and I have no clue. But I can bullshit and pretend I know what I’m talking about…sort of.

17. I have been designing websites for 6 years and my proudest accomplishment was doing the Umbilical Brothers website for 4 years. They are 2 hilarious guys from Australia who do shows all over the world and I still haven’t met them. But they might be in New York in April/May and I am planning that trip already. I am beyond pumped to meet them. And to see my good friend Deb (whom I met through the forum I built for their website).

18. I have been on television 3 times. And recognized once from an appearance. For being on Street Cents, when I was living in Halifax. I felt like a celebrity. It was pretty special.

19. I have a plastic canvas calendar sitting in my drawer which I started over 8 years ago. I want to finish it one day. It’s an Olympic themed calendar. Maybe I’ll try to have it done by the 2010 games.

20. I can throw a Frisbee longer than a football field.

21. I once shaved my whole body. It took a really long time and I probably wouldn’t do it again. But I liked how my muscles looked really defined. But I didn’t like how itchy it was when the hair started growing back in.

22. I’ve dyed my hair blond twice. Once it turned orange because I didn’t have enough dye. The other time it was very light and I liked it. Would I do it again? Why not?

23. I used to be really really funny in grade 8. Like make people fall out of their chairs laughing funny. Then in the summer between grade 8 and 9 I grew up. I remember reading Sphere by Michael Crichton and feeling more mature. I still make people laugh. But not like grade 8, oh man.

24. I love dogs. Like I can’t wait to have a house with a yard so I can get a dog. I think they’re the greatest pet ever.

25. Since I’ve been told I’m random, I’ll throw in a very random fact. I was suspended in grade 3 for one day because I pulled a knife on a kid. It was my grandfather’s and I happened to have it in my pocket. Not sure why I did it. But I haven’t done it since.

Popularity: 3% [?]

I find it interesting that when we follow our heart it can tend to contradict what our head is saying; and vice versa. How do we truly know what is right? I like to think that what our heart says will always lead us in the right direction. I believe that passion comes from your heart and if we always do what we love (as long as it isn’t something like heroin, stealing or murder) then it will lead us in the right direction and help our life be what we want it to be. That’s pretty much the “Secret” that there was so much hype about a few years ago. There is not “secret”. Do what makes you happy and be with whom you love and the rest will follow. But what happens when you aren’t sure what that is. Or are trying to figure that out and in the process make a mistake? That’s when you start to question “Did I do the right thing?” But, as long as you do what feels right, then things will work out the way they were meant to be.

It can be a scary idea, but you need to have faith. For a while I’ve been lacking that faith. I guess it’s fairly normal to feel that loss of faith after such an amazing person, my mom, was taken from us a short 7 years ago. I still remember every detail about that night. The time everything happened. The day. The date. The events. I still find it hard to believe that she is gone and I miss her so much. I still cry every so often about her and I just want so badly to be happy. I mean, I am happy, but I want to share my happiness with someone. At times it feels like karma is out to get me. I never maliciously try to hurt anyone. I’m looking for what everyone else is I suppose. Maybe I go about it differently. Maybe I go about it the same way. All I know is that I feel close. Maybe I feel like I have it. I don’t know some days and other days I am absolutely sure. I guess all we can do is have that faith (which I feel that I am starting to regain, which is a great feeling). I went for a run the other night and I think it was the first time in a long time that I have felt so clear and fresh. Dean and I have finally started talking again. I am seeing my family more. And I have met someone. I feel like things are coming together once again but there are still so many daily tasks that need to be done (school and work) that at times I wish I had a few months off to just relax. I think when I’m graduated I will be taking that time off to just relax. Since I graduated high school, I have been either in school or working. I really haven’t had time to relax. Sure, going away for the weekend to California, Utah, Washington and BC amongst other places is great, but really when you go to play 7 games of frisbee and get home exhausted and having to get back into your normal busy lives, it’s not a vacation. At all. I truly need a vacation. I think I’m going to go to Fort Mac again at the end of November and see my cousin Natalie and my buddy Chris. I miss Natalie so much. We both have the mutual understanding that family is important and that we don’t do all we can to see each other. We are planning on a week vacation next summer in PEI; I really hope that happens.

I guess that’s what is on my mind currently. It’s been a tough week. This weekend is the last weekend of ultimate until the spring so as sad as I am to be done, it’ll be nice to have some time again for myself and the rest of my life on weekend and evenings. It’s been a long, expensive season.

Rob out.

Popularity: 3% [?]

So in 2 weeks, we’re (Invictus) is headed to Santa Cruz, California for Labor Day Classic; probably the premiere frisbee tournament anywhere in the world (along with ECC). We’re competing against teams like Sockeye, Furious, Rhino, Bravo, Revolver, Jam and others. Damn it’s going to be fun.

Oh, and I’ve never been to Cali before. I wish I could take some time off to just chill on the beach, but really I think I’ll save that for a cold week in the winter. Reading week anyone?

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Wapooti 2006 is less than a week away in Canmore, Alberta. We are returning as Sorrow, and as defending tournament champions. As you can see, we looked sweet last year – what will we look like this year? Well, this year we can plan ahead; we know what looks good and what doesn’t. But when you really think about it, does it really matter? I mean, all we do is wake up, eat a bit, do a bit, then sleep again. It’s not worth it really. I’m so sad all the time lately. I feel so empty inside, and sometimes I just wonder what is the point of life? *Sigh*

Popularity: 5% [?]